A number of European firms, including J A Kemp, reported on Friday that the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation had passed a change to the rules of the EPC relating to the date on which a document is...more
The EPO confirmed that a European patent application can be refused on the basis of double patenting under Articles 97(2) and 125 EPC, if a patent with the same effective date has already been granted for the same subject...more
On Monday 21 September, the UK High Court (Patents) delivered its judgment on the DABUS appeal, as previously reported here by Morgan Lewis. ...more
EPO - **By way of an update, on 29 July 2020 the EPO has decided to postpone all oral proceedings in examination and opposition proceedings scheduled until 31 December 2020 (previous date was 14 September 2020) unless they...more
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, patent offices worldwide are taking steps to minimize negative impacts that patent and trademark filers may suffer. ...more
The Hogan Lovells IP & Media Technology team is tracking the changes being made by intellectual property offices around the world in response to the coronavirus so we can keep you informed on the key developments....more
Many offices have asked their employees to work from home, potentially causing delays. Most or all offices, including the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and European Patent Office (EPO), are conducting oral...more
Prosecuting and maintaining a patent portfolio costs many organizations millions of dollars. These costs should be continuously managed and controlled. However, many organizations allow these tasks to slip when times are...more
China - On 28 January 2020, CNIPA (China's National Intellectual Property Administration) published its Notice 350 (see here, in Chinese), which is applicable to both trademark and patent matters....more
China - On 28 January 2020, CNIPA (China's National Intellectual Property Administration) published its Notice 350, which is applicable to both trademark and patent matters....more
On March 15, 2020, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced its offices will be closed to the public until further notice, "out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of the public and USPTO employees."...more
EUIPO - For those with European Union Trademarks (EUTMs), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, Spain remains open although all staff are now working from home and it has extended all...more
Last week, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) hosted the annual meeting of the heads of the world’s five largest intellectual property offices, commonly referred to as the IP5 (see a related press release)....more
Canada launched its Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program a decade ago with the goal of fast-tracking patent examination and improving patent quality. Since its introduction, the PPH program has been an enormous success...more
Kelley Drye’s Diplomatic Community is our quarterly newsletter that provides updates on public international law developments with a focus on diplomatic legal issues, international organizations, the law of immunities and...more
It should come as no surprise that the home of the Bundesautobahn has multiple mechanisms to speed up patent prosecution. And since the average pendency of a European application is approximately four years[i], patentees will...more
In a June 23, 2016 referendum, the combined electorates of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar voted in favor of the United Kingdom, and consequently Gibraltar, leaving the European Union (EU). According to Article 50 of...more
The result of the UK's referendum on European Union membership is that the UK has decided that it will leave the EU. For now, the UK remains part of the EU. The withdrawal process requires that formal notice be given of the...more
On June 23, 2016 the United Kingdom (UK) and Gibraltar will vote in a referendum to remain in or leave the European Union (EU). If the UK votes to leave, according to Article 50 of the European Union Treaty, the...more
The new Unitary Patent System is expected to go into effect in the spring of 2017. This system will bring a groundbreaking change to the European patent landscape as it allows patentees to apply for a European Patent with...more
On April 27th, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office held a Patent Quality Community Symposium at the Office in Alexandria, VA (consistent with its efforts to disseminate its workforce into regional offices, the offices in...more
USPTO and INPI Establish PPH Pilot Program - On November 23, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Brazil's National Institute for Industrial Property (INPI) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a...more